Vehicle signal



F. M IAMS VEHI CLE S IGNAL Filed March 14, 1923 INVENTOR. 77 Jams A TTORNEY:

Patented Nov. 10, 1925. 2

UNITED STATES FRANK M. IAMS, WHEE LING, WEST VIRGINIA.

VEHICLE sIenAL.

Application filed March 14, 1923. Serial No. 625,107.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK M.IAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle Signals, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. 0

This invention relates to vehicle signals and more particularly to the construction of the signal.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having a plurality of compartments in which are disposed illuminating elements, the compartments being so constructed as to provide a signal at opposite faces of the casing and to so construct the compartments that the signal may be very cheaply produced and at the same time prove efficient and durable in service.

These and other objects I attain by the construction and arrangement shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a signal constructed in accordance with my invention and indicating diagrammatically the necessary wiring connections;

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a detail showing one of the retaining elements employed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a casing substantially rectangular in form and having its front and rear ends open, the edges of the casing about the openings being provided with beads affording grooves 11 for a purpose presently to appear. Within the casing are disposed a plurality of light housings 12, sub-dividing the casing into a plurality of compartments 13, each housing having arranged therein an illuminating element 14, which illuminating elements may be selectivly actuatedby means of switches 15 placed in circuit with the illuminating elements and a source S of E. M. F.

The housings 12 are each in the form of an open ended tube having opposed flattened parallel side walls 15 connected at the ends by curved end walls 16. The side walls 15 are each provided at each end thereof with an inwardly directed flange 17 the purpose presently to appear. One end wall 16 of each housing 12 is secured to a side wall of the casing 10 by means of a rivet 18. The opposite end thereof is provided with an opening 19 aligning with the corresponding opening formed in the wall of the casing 10 for the reception of the socket 20 of the illuminating element 14, the sections of the socket being clamped in position upon the casing wall and the end wall 16 of the housing and thus maintaining this end of the housing in applied position. The parallel walls 15 of the housings 12 which form the upper and lower walls of the housing abut either against the corresponding wall of an adjacent housing or against the upper or lower end wall of the casing 10.

When the housings 12 are in applied po- 'sition the flanges 17 of adjacent sections combine to form spaced supports for the reception of a lens plate 21, strips of felt or similar material indicated at 22 being interposed between the adjacent face of the lens plate and the flanges to eliminate all possiility' of rattling and to insureproper seat ing of the plate. The lens plates are retained in position at each side of the casing 10 by U-shaped retaining elements 23, each formed of spring wire and adapted to enter the groove 11 above referred to. The length of the arms 24 of the U-shaped elements is such that when both elements at either side of the casing are in applied position, longitudinal movement of either of the elements is prevented until, one of the arms is deformed to permit such removal. In constructing the housings 12 the inner faces of v the walls thereof are preferably highly polished or have applied thereto a mirror surface.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by the use of the elements hereinbefore described, and the manner of assembling described, the casing may-be readily produced having signals of a desired number. While four such signals are shown in the present instance, it will be readily understood that these signals will be controlled in number by the number of compartments 13 into whichthe casing 10 is sub-divided. It is of course understood that upon the lens plate 21 will be applied in any suitable manner indicia 25 which become visible when the element 14: of the housing with which they are aligned is active. Any suitable support for the housing 10, such as a bracket 26, may be provided as a means for attach- .ng the signal to the vehicle.

hat is. claimed is 1. In a signal, a rectangular frame, rality of housings mounted having opposed a pluin said frame parallel side Walls and curved end walls, means engaging with one of said end Walls and the adjacent wall of the frame for securing said end of the housing in position, an illuminated element support securing the opposite end of the housing in position upon the frame, and lens plates abutting the opposite ends of said housings.

2. In a signal, a rectangular frame, a plurality of housingsmounted in said frame having opposed parallel side Walls and curved end walls, means engaging with one of said end walls and the adjacent wall of the frame for securing the corresponding end of the housing in position, an illuminating element support securing the opposite end of the housing in position upon the frame, and lens plates abutting the opposite ends of said housings and provided with corresponding indicia aligned with corresponding housings, parallel side Walls of said housings being provided at the ends thereof with inwardly directed flanges forming a support for said lens plates.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

FRANK M. IAMS. 

